Statement of Ward 4 Councilmember Muriel
Bowser in response to United States Supreme Court decision in Heller v.
District of Columbia

I am disappointed in today’s Supreme
Court action which ruled that the DC law banning private handgun
possession at home violates the Second Amendment. For more than 30
years, the District of Columbia has had a very strict handgun law and this
morning’s decision will likely introduce more handguns into the District
of Columbia.

District of Columbia laws have regulated
the purchase, sale, possession, ownership, registration, transportation,
importation, and manufacture of handguns. The DC Council, along with
the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), will continue to meet their
obligation to protect the residents of the District of Columbia.
Today’s ruling will allow the legal possession of handguns in private
homes but this possession will be strictly regulated, including the
registration and finger printing of hand gun owners, and until so doing,
all DC laws remain in effect.

Today’s Supreme Court decision does not
impact our laws prohibiting the possession and use of guns outside of the
home. There is no right to carry handguns on the streets in the
District. That has not changed. Automatic and semi-automatic weapons
will continue to be banned throughout the City.

Along with the registration requirement
for handguns, DC Council will also adopt safe storage provisions and the
Metropolitan Police Department will provide free trigger locks. MPD
will be issuing regulations to establish a process for registering
handguns within 21 days. Components of the regulations may include
registration requirements, minimum qualifications, criminal and mental
background checks, medical clearance, training or test requirements,
appropriate waiting periods, and procedures for transporting guns outside
of the home.

In agreement with
resident’s sentiments, I will work with my DC Council colleagues,the Mayor, the Metropolitan Police Department,and the Attorney General’s office,to
preserve the most restrictive handgun regulations within the parameters of
this ruling.

Residents with
questions about the registration of hand guns can all the Metropolitan
Police Department at 202-727-4275 from 7 AM to 3 PM - Monday through
Friday for more information. There will also be much more
information available in the days to come at:www.dc.gov.